Square Foundation

What Square Foundation does

Square Foundation is a Danish non-profit NGO (formerly Specialisterne Foundation) founded in 2008 by Thorkil Sonne, headquartered in Frederiksberg, Denmark. The organization is focused on neurodiversity advocacy, working to inspire and empower employers, educational institutions, governments, and civil society organizations to create inclusive environments for neurodistinct individuals, including those with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. It operates as an NGO associated with the UN Department of Global Communications and aligns its mission with UN Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

The foundation's core offerings are the Square Concept, an experimental framework co-created with partners to enable neurodistinction and neurotypical people to thrive together in workplaces and communities, along with two sub-programs: My Square – My Neurodiversity (individual empowerment) and Our Squares – Our Neurodiversity (organizational and community initiatives). It also curates an Inspiration Hub of case studies, podcasts, videos, and articles. The foundation is currently testing the Square Concept in partnership with IKEA, supported by Ashoka and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship.

Square Foundation operates as a non-profit without commercial revenue, declining, or dividends. Its operating model is funded through grants, partnerships, and social entrepreneurship support from organizations including Ashoka, Schwab Foundation, and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship. The organization is led by a chairperson-founder and a governance board comprising senior advisors from Accenture, McKinsey, the Danish diplomatic corps, and the social entrepreneurship sector. The core team comprises 7 employees, and the organization has no disclosed subsidiaries, no parent company, and no public funding rounds.

Name

Square Foundation

Legal name

Square Foundation

Website

https://square.foundation

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Square Foundation is a Danish non-profit NGO founded in 2008 that advocates for neurodiversity awareness and inclusion among employers, educational institutions, governments, and civil society, operating through the Square Concept framework and a global partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neurodiversity Advocacy and Social Inclusion

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (81331), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

akta.pro primary industry

Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

Keywords

• Neurodiversity advocacy
• Workplace inclusion
• Disability awareness
• Social entrepreneurship
• Nonprofit foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Frederiksberg

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Foundation/NGO Funding: As a foundation associated with the UN Department of Global Communications, Square Foundation operates as a non-profit organization funded through partnerships, grants, and social entrepreneurship initiatives. The organization was formerly known as Specialisterne Foundation and is supported by partners such as Ashoka, Schwab Foundation, and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Square Foundation is a non-profit advocacy organization that promotes neurodiversity inclusion across workplaces, educational institutions, governments, and civil society. It offers the Square Concept framework, My Square – My Neurodiversity, and Our Squares – Our Neurodiversity as advocacy and awareness programs. The foundation curates an inspiration library of case studies, podcasts, videos, and articles to drive systemic change for the approximately 20% of the population with neurodivergent traits.

Product overview

Square Foundation is a non-profit NGO (formerly Specialisterne Foundation) focused on neurodiversity advocacy and awareness. Rather than offering a traditional tech product, the foundation provides advocacy programs, thought leadership, and network facilitation through its Square Concept framework. The main offerings include the Square Concept (an experimental framework for neurodiversity in workplaces), My Square – My Neurodiversity (individual empowerment), and Our Squares – Our Neurodiversity (organizational/community initiatives). The foundation also curates an inspiration library featuring videos, articles, podcasts, and case studies on neurodiversity topics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Square Concept A co-created advocacy concept designed to enable environments where neurodistinct and neurotypical people can be their best selves and bring out the best in each other. Currently in the experimentation phase, being tested with IKEA and supported by Ashoka and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship.
• My Square – My Neurodiversity An individual-focused program encouraging personal neurodiversity identity and empowerment for neurodistinct individuals.
• Our Squares – Our Neurodiversity A collective/community-focused initiative fostering neurodiversity awareness and collaboration among organizations and communities.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Specialisterne GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Specialisterne Global draws from extensive operational experience in autism employment. Square Foundation (formerly Specialisterne Foundation) was founded by Thorkil Sonne based on the Specialisterne concept, which pioneered employing autistic people for software testing and quality assurance.
• UN Department of Global CommunicationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Square Foundation is an NGO associated with the UN Department of Global Communications, enabling alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals and global advocacy platforms.
• AshokacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounder Thorkil Sonne is an Ashoka Fellow. Square Foundation works with Ashoka DELA Fellows and is supported by Ashoka and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship for concept testing.
• Schwab Foundation for Social EntrepreneurshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounder Thorkil Sonne is a Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship Fellow, providing access to World Economic Forum platforms and social entrepreneurship networks.
• IKEAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSquare Foundation is in the experimentation phase testing the Square Concept with IKEA, supported by Ashoka and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship. The concept promotes neurodiversity in minds and systems.
• I-O Europe NeurodiversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the organization's network of neurodiversity advocates and partners working to promote inclusion across Europe.
• Vanderbilt University - Autism and InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner conducting research on autism and innovation in the workplace.
• Zero ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the global network promoting disability-inclusive policies and practices.
• The Valuable 500coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal campaign putting disability on the business leadership agenda.
• Billion StrongcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal community of people with disabilities working to advance inclusion.
• World Economic ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSquare Foundation participates in World Economic Forum events and collaborates on global workforce inclusion initiatives.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• ADHD Foundation (UK): Neurodiversity advocacy and support organization focused on ADHD and related conditions. Comparable as a condition-specific advocacy nonprofit targeting workplaces, schools, and families — though focused primarily on ADHD rather than the broader neurodiversity umbrella.
• International Dyslexia Association: Nonprofit focused on dyslexia advocacy, education, and research dissemination. Comparable as a condition-specific neurodiversity organization working across workplace, school, and policy domains — though narrower than Square Foundation's broader neurodiversity scope.
• CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD): US-based advocacy organization providing education, advocacy, and support for people with ADHD. Comparable as a neurodiversity-focused nonprofit working with employers, educators, and policymakers — though narrower in scope (ADHD-specific).
• Made by Dyslexia: Global charity focused on dyslexic strengths and workplace/education inclusion. Comparable as a condition-specific neurodiversity advocacy organization pushing for systemic change in employers and schools — directly adjacent to Square Foundation's neurodiversity mission.

Broad incumbents

• Autism Society of America: A long-established grassroots autism advocacy organization with a nationwide affiliate network. Comparable as an autism/neurodiversity advocacy nonprofit targeting workplaces, schools, and policymakers — though focused on autism rather than broader neurodiversity.
• Autism Speaks: One of the largest autism advocacy organizations globally. While Square Foundation is broader (neurodiversity, not just autism) and operates internationally with UN affiliation, Autism Speaks competes for the same corporate, philanthropic, and policy attention.

Direct peers

• The Valuable 500: Global disability-inclusion campaign putting disability on the business leadership agenda. Already a Square Foundation partner and a directly comparable peer — both push corporate and policy change through high-profile advocacy and a network of multinational supporters.
• Zero Project: Global network promoting disability-inclusive policies and innovation. Already a Square Foundation partner and a directly comparable peer — both operate at the intersection of disability advocacy, research dissemination, and policy engagement.
• Billion Strong: Global community of people with disabilities advancing inclusion. Already a Square Foundation partner and a directly comparable peer — both focus on community-building and advocacy across the disability spectrum rather than single conditions.
• Specialisterne Global: Founded by the same person (Thorkil Sonne) and built on the original Specialisterne concept that Square Foundation grew out of. Specialisterne Global focuses on autism employment and inclusive hiring, making it the closest sibling organization and most directly comparable peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/squarefoundationngo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/squarefoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Square Foundation